James 5:14
What does James 5:14 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:14 means
For the sick, James instructs calling the elders of the church to pray and anoint with oil in the Lord’s name. This brings the sufferer into the care of recognized spiritual leaders, uniting faith and pastoral oversight. The anointing likely signifies consecration and the Lord’s healing presence; it may also have a practical, medicinal aspect. The key is prayer offered under Christ’s authority. Sickness can isolate; this verse counters isolation with communal care and tangible ministry. It affirms that God is not distant from bodily weakness, and that He meets His people through the prayers and acts of His church, aligning them under His compassionate rule.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Is anyone among you ill? let him send for the rulers of the church; and let them say prayers over him, putting oil on him in the name of the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862is any infirm among you? let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil, in the name of the Lord,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Is any sick among you? let him call to [him] the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of [the] Lord;
Context
Verse 14 builds on the call to prayer by specifying what to do in serious illness: involve the elders, pray, and anoint in the Lord’s name. It leads directly to verse 15’s promise about the prayer of faith, linking physical restoration and forgiveness. The emphasis on church leadership and communal action shows that James envisions a body caring for its members, which transitions into broader mutual confession and intercession in verse 16.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 15:4
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
- Mark 16:18
they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
- Mark 6:13
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
- Acts 9:40
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
- 1 Kings 17:21
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.
- Acts 28:8
And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.
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